Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To encourage and facilitate growth, development and investment in food and beverage manufacturing and bio-product processing businesses by providing knowledge, connections and resources to business clients.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the general supervision of the Manager, and with leadership from the Team Lead, the Position is responsible for ongoing communications and relationships with key stakeholder groups such as business accounts and certain sector/regional associations and is also the key point of contact for key relationships with assigned stakeholders. Position develops, implements, and monitors business activities for select organizations.

The responsibilities are:

Maintains and develops new and existing relationships with key business clients and associations (as assigned). Develops, implements, and manages key client account management plans. Undertakes responsibility in an assigned area/sector for business attraction, retention and expansion aspects of
the Branch's economic development strategies including communication initiatives, service offerings, key initiatives, strategic objectives and goals with the clients. Responsible for determining the detailed approaches and procedures for assignments that are necessary to attain objectives.

Independently plans, organizes, and completes work projects that are assigned.

Supports relationship management efforts based on an integrated strategic account management approach across relevant units of the Ministry. Liaises with internal business partners within OMAFRA and across other Ministries to execute against the account plan and generate value-added support for the client that enables OMAFRA to better influence and support the creation and/or retention of additional jobs and business investment.

Identifies sources of assistance and information (e.g. government programs) that support the business account's needs and issues. Identifies and develops opportunities resulting from the business intelligence obtained through client interaction and OMAFRA's program offerings. Directs activities to acquire new clients (attraction), retain current key clients (retention) and expand the business services (expansion) and programs offered by OMAFRA.

Articulates the value and strengths of OMAFRA and its services in order to support business growth with the clients.

Coordinates account plan review meetings with other relevant Ministry staff. Attends economic development and industry conferences as needed.

Leads, motivates and coordinates when required an internal business account team to achieve the foregoing objectives. Optimizes internal and external resources to build consensus and offer the most comprehensive solution available through the Ministry.

Maintains accurate client-based information on the relevant CRM tool such as 'Salesforce.com'.

Serves as the unit specialist on assigned sectors (e.g. food, beverage, bio-products,) and/or on business issues & opportunities within a specific geographic area.

Meets the business intelligence requirements of the unit from a sub-sector, sector development and/or regional perspective by maintaining a profile of designated sub-sectors (e.g. beverages, bakery) and/or regional businesses.

Researching and investigating growing and/or declining firms and identifying and assessing factors involved.

Analyzing and interpreting the information gained through client contact and other sources to identify issues and opportunities and providing information on sectoral trends.

Documenting success stories and sharing them with internal and external clients as appropriate.

Providing ongoing support and/or leadership to sector development initiatives related to food and beverage manufacturing and bio-product processing businesses, by liaising with industry officials and investors in order to initiate and facilitate projects and initiatives in the industry: keeping apprised of issues and priorities within the Ministry and across government and pro-actively communicating and working with colleagues; contributing to advancing the government's economic development objectives.

Provides ongoing technical expertise to the Unit and Branch activities. Provides back-up support to peer positions within the Unit. Maintains up-to-date awareness of all Unit projects and activities and the related activities to other units and Ministry branches. Prepares briefing notes and Minister's letters in support of policy & program development.

The Manager has the authority to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licensing :

Position requires valid Class 'G' Ontario driver's license in order to travel to client meetings across Ontario.

Knowledge :

Excellent knowledge of business and industry issues in the designated sectors of Ontario food and beverage manufacturing, bio-products industries and/or regional areas of the province in conjunction with knowledge of a range of business administration fields, including finance, economics and business analysis, generally acquired through a combination of education and responsible work experience. Knowledge of a variety of approaches to economic development including investment attraction, retention and expansion practices. Knowledge and understanding of the objectives, programs and activities of government organizations (provincial, federal, municipal) that impact on the industry. Knowledge and understanding of Client
Relationship Management (CRM) tools, and other technology, and the relevance of such tools in the Branch's business development management approach to economic development. Good working knowledge of the political and bureaucratic structure of the Provincial government. Practical knowledge of the policy development and implementation process within the Ontario government. Good knowledge of financial principles, practices and procedures.

Skills :

Position requires: Analytical skills to evaluate and assess issues, problems, and opportunities facing Ontario's food, beverage and bio-products industries. Excellent project management and organizational skills to plan and execute concurrent projects and organize competing priorities. Superior
analytical and conceptual skills to determine investment cases where there is greatest opportunity to have impact and influence on investment and jobs (e.g. list of key accounts and related opportunities). Analytical and evaluative skills to assess business development needs, and determine the information, resources, services and alternative solutions required to meet client needs. Excellent oral, interpersonal, sales and account management skills to develop and maintain strong business relationships with external clients and internal colleagues to enhance program delivery and meet Branch's economic development objectives. Excellent written communication skills to prepare briefing notes, sector overviews, project proposals, etc.
Ability to prioritize client issues according to their urgency, materiality, and political sensitivity. Good interpersonal skills and a high standard of professionalism in order to provide consultative assistance to clients and to work effectively with food industry officials and provincial government staff at all levels. Ability to work effectively as a team and also with considerable autonomy.

Freedom of Action :

Reporting to the Manager, and under the group leadership of the Team Lead, the Position works with limited on-site supervision, and works within the practices, policies, standards and objectives of program, as well as within recognized methods, procedures and practices related to a range of business administration fields. Position exercises latitude in making decisions in: determining effectiveness of information services, education/training, policy and programs and making recommendations on necessary changes, new areas/issues which should be covered; providing advice to clients individually or in groups. Position requires judgement in preparing the submission of annual work plans and regular reports of results/activities to the Manager. Position has numerous contacts with key business clients and associations to encourage and facilitate growth, development and investment in food and beverage manufacturing and bio-product processing businesses. Position also has contacts with internal business partners in the Economic Development Division, OMAFRA and across other Ministries and levels of government to execute against the account plan and generate value-added support for the clients. The Manager reviews the Position's work for adherence to policy, quality of analysis and recommendations, and for progress in
achieving goals. Work requires referring to the Manager or the Team Lead, for input and advice, matters involving precedents, situations involving possible impacts on the Ministry, or contentious matters.